Kirkland, N.Y. — Heavy rains overnight have forced officials to close several roads in Oneida County.
Routes 5 and 12 in the town of Kirkland had all lanes blocked in both directions this morning due to flooding. The Route 5 closure was between Limberlost Road and Route 233; Route 12 was closed between Tibbitts Road and Red Hill Road. Town officials have also closed Norton Avenue between Route 233 and Sanford Avenue, where the Oriskany Creek is surging over the road and into back yards.
The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings, the most severe level of flood alert, for much of Central New York.
Flash flooding has started along Oneida Creek in the Madison County village of Munnsville.
The flash flood warning includes the counties of Cortland, Madison, Oneida, and Onondaga. In southern Oneida County, the weather service warned, flood damage could be “considerable.”
“Life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses,” the weather service said in the warning bulletin.
Emergency alerts popping up on some cell phones this morning are urging people to stay put.
Some spots in Central New York have already had 2 inches of rain since Sunday night and more could fall throughout the morning.